Who stays, and who goes?

Obviously, the Gunners need to strengthen the offensive end of the pitch. There was to much focus on defending and scoring set piece goals to carry the team throughout the season that just ended. Yes it worked, but it can not be relied upon going into next season.

Case in point. In the Gunners last five matches of the season, in all competitions, the team scored only 6 goals. Yes, I know, the defense allowed only 2 in the same games, however, winning 1-nil isn’t the DNA for a team to scare opponents. Matches were too close, and even some of these matches could easily have gone the other way, resulting in draws or even losses. Arsenal needs to put teams away and avoid any last minute heroics, or disasters.

The Gunners need more goals from open play, and Mikel Arteta needs to generate more consistency and confidence from his front line. Arsenal had only 25% possession in the UCL Final, with one shot on goal. That did not get it done. Obviously!

So, with the transfer market opening soon, let’s look at our current roster, and leave the players we hope to sign for a later date.

Who will probably leave this summer? Probably, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, Tommy Setford (loan?) and either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard. My bet is Martinelli. Ben White is also a possibility, unless Arsenal can find another, younger right fullback to be Jurrien Timber’s back-up.

Who should be renewed to longer deals? Of course, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard. Piero Hincapie also needs to be signed on a permanent deal following this season’s loan spell in North London.

And, the rest will be back in red and white. David Raya, Kepa, William Saliba, Christian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze. Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz.

What about Ethan Nwaneri? He is in camp with the England team for the World Cup, but will the Gunners bring him in this summer? Anybody’s guess at this point. This wiill probably depend on who the front office signs to boost the front line and provide more goals.

Other players on loan to stay or go? Fabio Vierra (could sign with Hamburger SV), Jakub Kiwior (has already signed with Porto), Reiss Nelson (future unknown) and Karl Hein (will sign with Werder Bremen).

Questions to be answered include:

Will Gyokeres and Hazertz score more goals in 26/27, or does Arsenal need to sign another frontman?

Can Saka improve his stats from last season and become the producer he was in past seasons?

Can Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice continue to contribute so many minutes on the pitch? No, they need strong back-ups. Lewis-Skelly has proven to be a good Zubimendi replacement, but Rice needs help behind him.

Is Martin Odegaard the team’s best #10? This will be a point of discussion during the transfer market. Would Crystal Palace’s Morgan Rogers help answer that question?

Mosquesra is a good relief man at right fullback, but the Gunners needs something better to back-up Timber. Ben White is still a question mark.

The back line needs some reinforcements, too. Saliba and Gabriel played too many minutes in 25/26. One or two solid, and versatile defenders should be signed.

And finally the goalkeepers. No changes needed. Raya and Kepa are as good a 1-2 punch as there is in European football.

More to come as the market opens during the up and coming World Cup.

Cheers.

Gunner1953

A club record 45 wins, two cup finals and a Premier League championship!

Even though the season didn’t end as we all had hoped, 2025/2026 will remain unforgettable and will be the benchmark for the success ahead.

I am sitting here currently watching the championship parade from Islington in North London. The emotion and excitement coming from the thousands of Gooners, who have packed the streets near Emirates Stadium, is an unbelievable sight. This is a scene that will hopefully be repeated over and over agin in the years to come.

Going forward, there will be ample discussion about what the team needs going into next season, but for now, it’s all about celebrating this team, these men and the entire Arsenal family who worked so hard every single day to help reach this moment in time.

NORTH LONDON IS RED!

COYG!

CHEERS!

Gunner1953

Millions of Arsenal supporters will be glued to their TV sets beginning at 12 noon ET to witness what we hope will be another trophy lift celebration for Mikel Arteta and his team.

PSG is the defending UCL Champion, and will come prepared for a real fight, especially against Arsenal’s superb defensive back wall. These are Europe’s best two clubs, and Saturday will prove who is really #1 across the European continent.

With all that said, here is my predicted starting XI for Arteta and the Gunners…

[4-3-3[

Trossard, Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi

Calafiori, Gabriel, Rice, Timber

Raya

Predicted final score: PSG 2 – ARSENAL 3 (AET)

COYG!

Gunner1953

Here are the Gunners headed to North America to play in the WC next month for their home countries…

Martin Odegaard (Norway)

Kai Havertz (Germany)

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)

Leandro Trossard (Belgium)

Willam Saliba (France)

Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden)

Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri in camp (England)

David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi (Spain)

Piero Hincapie (Ecuador)

Jurrien Timber (Netherlands)

Best of luck gentlemen!

Gunner1953

Whether you are at Selhurt, or watching somewhere on TV, the joy, the tears and the singing were a common scene for Arsenal Nation everywhere around the globe. This was a moment in time that Gooners will remember for the rest of our lives.

The emotion witnessed coming from the players was utterly spectacular. This is a group that could, hopefully, do it all over again this coming weekend in Budapest.

But, until then, let’s savor this special moment in Arsenal history.

ARSENAL IS CHAMPIONS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE!

Here are a couple of other notes from the Premier League:

Tottenham Hotspur avoided relegation, but West Ham United did not.

Bruno Fernandes was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season. In my opinion, this award should have gone to David Raya. Hands down!

Pepe Guardiola said goodbye to Etihad Stadium and Manchester City on Sunday. His club’s double trophy win this season brought his overall trophy total to 20 during his 10 seasons at City. Guardiola changed the Premier League in many positive ways.

Hull City defeated Middlesbrough in the 95th minute on Saturday in the Championship’s Playoff Final to earn a spot in next season’s Premier League.

Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers.

Gunner1953

I do think Jurrien Timber will get a test run for at least the first half, plus Martin Zubimendi will also get some much needed minutes as well.

With that said, here’s my predicted starting XI…

[4-3-3]

Martinelli, Jesus, Dowman

Norgaard, Madueke, Zubimendi

Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Hincapie, Timber

Kepa

Predicted final score: Crystal Palace 1 – ARSENAL 2

THE GUNNERS WILL LIFT THE TROPHY NO MATTER WHO PLAYS OR THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE MATCH!

COYG!

Cheers.

Gunner1953